Rose jolted awake in terror at the resounding crash. William screamed in his nursery. Lillian flailed helplessly as Rose’s heart pounded away in her chest. Any moment the thundering footsteps would storm through the entryway past the door they’d just broken down. She braced herself, waiting for them to come sweep her away, but nothing happened.

Only another heavy roll of thunder that rattled the entire house. Rain slapped the window panes and lightning lit up the night sky.

It was only a storm.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Rose rolled back onto her side, unsure if she would fall back to sleep.